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Last minute summer fun

7/31/2023

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This post contains affiliate links. I will be compensated for purchases made through those links at no additional cost to you. All views expressed are my own. Thank you for your support!
Last Minute Summer fun
     I was never the Mom who could hardly wait for her kids to go back to school.  I have always loved having my entire family around me at home as much as possible, creating strong family ties and making memories. 
      I know that some families have had school start already, others are starting this week, some not until much later in the month.  But, the time flies when it comes to family time together and some children really stress out about starting school.  Giving them that feeling of family togetherness, love and support can help them cope with life at school as the new school year begins.  Even though I hated sending my children back to school on the inside, on the outside I tried to be excited and encouraging and let them know that our family was there to help them be successful. 

      We were blessed over the last couple of weeks to have some of our grandchildren with us during these last days before school.  We had so much fun together going to the waterpark, swimming and crafting.  We played old school Wii and had bowling tournaments and fun on the Wii Fit.  We watched our watermelon grow in the garden (no ripe ones yet, darn it!).  We also did 1/2 hour of reading every morning  AND, we did a bunch of little activities that cost very little, but were super fun!  Having cousins together was also a highlight of our time together.

       My message to you in this post is to find little ways to help your kids squeeze every minute of fun and enjoyment out of their summer.  Even if they have already started school, many of these activities could easily be done in the evening or on a weekend and would be a respite from the homework grind! 
  • Have food preference/comparison contests!  We've done milkshakes, donuts and smoothies from various places.  On these posts we've created printable scorecards here and here that you can use.  With my grandchildren last week we compared Dutch Bros. Strawberry Smoothies with Starbucks Frozen Strawberry-Acai Lemonade.  We also compared Sprite to 7-Up in a blind test.  Simple, but the kids loved it and kept referring back to the results for days! 
  • Have a Nailed It competition!  During the pandemic, we had a virtual cupcake decorating competition that was a lot of fun!  I don't think I ever announced a winner because my grandchildren were all so proud of their work.  You could come up with various categories to award prizes for,  for example we decorated cupcakes to look like dogs.  We could have awarded most colorful, best nose, cutest eyes, best fur, most lifelike, most cartoonish, Picasso style, etc.  You get the idea! 
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    The adults also joined into this competition! 
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  • Re-live earlier family moments with treats and videos.  For example, if you went to a Disney park for vacation,  watch your videos, look at the photos, admire your souvenirs and make treats to enjoy together.  We shared some Disney treat ideas on this post that we took with us to Disneyland one year.  Your kids will love them! 
  • Have a Back to School Family Dinner!  Use some new school supplies to decorate the table. Serve the kids favorite foods.  Present a family motto for the year, it could be a scripture or a quote or theme that will help encourage or set a goal for the coming school term.  Make a cute back to school cake with your theme written on it! 
  • ​Make jewelry with clay and beads that you can use with essential oils.  I have a couple of grandchildren with  ADHD and/or anxiety.  I have noticed when working with them on school work that breathing in essential oils can really help to calm them.  One summer when I was doing summer school with a couple of my grandkids, we made charms to wear from clay that they could add essential oils to to help them concentrate.  That would be a fun activity that will help them feel more prepared and proactive in managing their feelings and ability to concentrate.   Since that time, I've learned more about the use of essential oils. I use Doterra oils.  Here are a few that I would recommend to help kids relax and be able to concentrate: 
  • Thinker Blend from Doterra for concentration
  • Frankincense for concentration
  • Lavender to calm
  • Peppermint for alertness
  • Vetiver for calming and grounding
  • Cheer Uplifting Blend to beat the blues
     Do you have any end of summer traditions that you do with your kids that squeezes in one more fun activity that starts them out in school with happy memories?  Please share them with us in the comments! 
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5+ Projects to begin now to be finished by christmas!

7/25/2023

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This post contains affiliate links. We will be compensated for purchases you make at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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christmas projects
     If you are like I am and really enjoy doing at least some of your gifts and decorating by making handmade items, then you know that now is the time to begin to get ready before the holiday rush starts!  If you aren't sure what heirloom or just fun pieces  you would like to create this year, there are many places to look online for ideas, patterns and kits! 

      Amazon is most people's go to for just about anything.  Here are some great kits to get you started! 
  • If you have Stockings to make, Bucilla kits are always adorable.   I love this one of the Little Drummer Boy, but there are plenty to choose from! 
  • I'm always on the lookout for cute Nativity Scenes.  This is a felted kit, a process that I haven't tried yet, but have always wanted to try.  
  • Embroidery has taken off in popularity again.  A Christmas Table Runner would be a great use of that skill!  These would be great to keep or give away. 
  • Also embroidered, a kit containing 6 pieces would be 6 gifts for one inexpensive price, lovingly completed by you! 
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​     Etsy is a great place to get kits, patterns or finished items.  There are endless choices
  • I've seen similar scroll saw nativities before, but this one is really beautiful! 
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  • If crocheting is what you love to do,  thisbeautiful blanket is perfect to begin now! 
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       Well, oops, that was 6 things.  Plus, while I was looking around, I found something that you don't need to make, but is so beautiful on Etsy that I just had to share it!  
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     I think I might get this and leave it up all year long!  Wouldn't it be perfect in a cabin?  People's artistry always amazes me. 
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     If you didn't already have ideas of what to make this year for Christmas, I hope you got some here.  What projects are you going to be working on this year?  I'd love to hear all about them. 

Projects from the Blog:
  • Plaid Christmas Trees
  • Button Ornaments
  • Dollar Tree Ornaments
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the Best Treats for Christmas for Christmas in July-Featuring Frozen Peppermint Hot Cocoa Shots

7/17/2023

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This post contains affiliate links. We will be compensated for purchases you make at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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Frozen Peppermint Hot Cocoa Bombs
     Back in 2018 when we did our original live Christmas in July, we shared some really yummy treats to serve at your own Christmas in July party.  We had festive Watermelon Stars and Strawberry Santa Hats.  We served a veggie tray shaped like a Christmas Tree. And of course, sugar cookies to decorate. 

      Recently I've found some recipes that look perfect for a summery Christmas party! 
  • Peppermint Delight from Taste of Home looks like the perfect way to cool off and celebrate a Christmas theme at the same time. 
  • The Original Jello Strawberry Poke Cake would be great topped with strawberries.
  • Since I'm all about not baking in the summer,  these No Bake Christmas Wreath Cookies are perfect!

     Since our blog is the home of the Original Hot Cocoa Bomb, I had to find a way to incorporate Hot Cocoa into our Christmas in July Celebration!  Frozen Hot Cocoa seemed to be the perfect solution!  To serve a crowd and to cut back on the sugar and sweets, I made my grandchildren Peppermint Hot Cocoa Shots, in cute smaller juice glasses, topped with Cool Whip or whipped cream and sprinkles, of course!  They pronounced them good! 
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    Even if you aren't celebrating Christmas in July, these are a refreshing summer way to enjoy Hot Cocoa! 
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Christmas In July Shopping That Gets you ready for december!

7/10/2023

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This post contains affiliate links. We will be compensated for purchases you make at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christmas in July Shopping
     Tomorrow is the beginning of Amazon Prime Day!  It couldn't hit at a better time because when I think of Christmas in July, I think of ways to get ready for Christmas in December that will A) Help me be prepared and less rushed in December, and B) Help me save money on gifts, decor and other essentials.  
      So, while the Prime Day Deals haven't begun yet, I've started a watch list, plus found some deals that are already pretty terrific!  Let me share a few! 

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    Creators of Hot Cocoa Bombs!  (copyrighted)
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    Author

    Helen Reynolds: Mother of six children , grandmother to fifteen!  I love to cook, craft and create things and I especially love doing that with my family, So, when my lawyer daughter, Lindsey, my artist daughter, Madalynn, and I came up with the idea of Hot Cocoa Bombs, this blog was born.  Then, one more daughter, with her technical and science skills, plus creativity has joined in to round us out!  Read more about us here!
        

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    Click this link and visit 3WinksDesignShop on Etsy. Find our Hot Cocoa Bomb Idea Book, our For the Love of PIe e-book and more of our creations!

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